In a bid to enhance road safety and improve traffic control, the Indian government will introduce regulations on radar equipment used to measure vehicle speed. The draft rules, developed by the Legal Metrology Division of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, require all radar devices to undergo verification and receive official stamps before deployment.

These rules come under the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011, and will apply specifically to microwave Doppler radar equipment, widely used in traffic speed monitoring. The aim is to ensure the accuracy and reliability of speed detection, which is essential to reducing road accidents and effectively enforcing traffic laws.

The framework for these regulations has been developed after consultations with key stakeholders including the Indian Institute of Legal Metrology (IILM), Regional Reference Laboratories (RRSL), manufacturers and vehicle certification bodies. Draft rules have been published for public consultation and the contributions received have been carefully considered.

“The suggestions received during the various consultations are being carefully examined and the rules will be notified soon,” the ministry said in a statement. The regulations align with standards set by the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML), ensuring global compliance and best practices.

Verified radar equipment will ensure accurate speed and distance measurement, minimizing errors that could compromise road safety. The Department of Consumer Affairs has highlighted the importance of reliable data in traffic enforcement, saying: “Reliable speed measurements will not only help identify speeding, but also deter dangerous driving behavior, thereby reducing accidents and wear and tear on road infrastructure. »

Here’s a look at what the new rules involve, why they’re needed and how they aim to improve road safety.

What are the new radar rules?

The new rules, framed under the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011, will require mandatory verification and stamping of radar devices used to measure vehicle speed. These regulations specifically target microwave Doppler radar equipment, widely deployed by traffic enforcement agencies. Before being used, each radar device must be subjected to verification to ensure the accuracy of speed and distance measurement. Verified devices will receive an official stamp certifying their compliance with industry and international standards.

Why are these rules introduced?

India has seen a worrying increase in road accidents. In 2022, the country recorded 461,312 road accidents, which left 168,491 dead and 443,366 injured, according to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. These figures represent an increase of 11.9% in accidents, 9.4% in deaths and 15.3% in injuries compared to 2021.

Inaccurate speed measurement tools can compromise compliance and road safety. They may fail to identify speeding incidents, allowing unsafe driving practices to persist. As the Department of Consumer Affairs pointed out: “Inaccurate speed measurements can harm road safety by failing to detect speeding, leading to increased risks for road users. »

How were the rules developed?

The Legal Metrology Division of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs developed the rules in consultation with multiple stakeholders:

• Indian Institute of Legal Metrology (IILM)
• Regional Reference Laboratories (RRSL)
• Radar equipment manufacturers
• Vehicle certification bodies

Draft rules have been published for public consultation. The ministry has considered all suggestions and incorporated relevant comments. The rules will be officially notified soon.

“The suggestions received during the various consultations are being carefully examined and the rules will be notified soon,” the ministry said in a statement.

How will these rules improve road safety?

The main advantages of the new regulations are:

Accurate speed detection
Verified radar equipment will provide accurate speed and distance measurements, crucial for identifying speeding violations.

Improved traffic enforcement
With reliable data, traffic authorities can enforce speed limits more effectively, reducing the incidence of speed-related accidents.

Compliance with international standards
The rules align with the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) guidelines, ensuring global best practices in road safety enforcement.

Building public trust
Certified speed cameras minimize the risk of malfunctions or errors, ensuring fairness in application.

Manish K. Shubhay, Partner at The Precept-Law Offices, said: “The decision to regulate radar equipment is timely and well thought out. Verified radar equipment will also improve the efficiency of traffic enforcement.

What’s next?

Once the rules are notified, all radar devices will have to comply with these verification and stamping requirements. This step is expected to standardize the tools used to monitor traffic speeds, improve the accuracy of the app, and ultimately create safer roads for everyone.

By addressing the root cause of inaccuracies in enforcement, the government aims to make Indian roads safer and reduce the alarming rate of road accidents.